Higher Psychical Development (Yoga Philosophy) an Outline of the Secret Hindu Teachings

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1920 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER IX "the Guardians Of The Threshold" In the present chapter, I propose to dwell, first of all, upon the ethical side of the teachings of the Hindus,--before passing on to the more practical or experimental side of the subject. Let us consider the little treatise called Light on the Path, which has been acknowledged to be one of the best books written on this subject. It is a series of sayings or "aphorisms" which must be taken symbolically, and the instructions which are given must be accepted, not on their face value, but with a certain inner meaning, and the ability to interpret them results from a prolonged study of Hindu and psychic science. For instance, take three sentences, such as the following: "Desire only that which is within you. Desire only that which is beyond you. Desire only that which is unattainable. ' Apparently paradoxes! Solution: "For within you is the light of the world,--the only light that can be shed upon the path. If you are unable to perceive within you, it is useless to look for it elsewhere. It is beyond you, because when you reach it you have lost yourself. It is unattainable, because it for ever recedes."... Of course the great founder of the Yoga system,--was Patanjali, and he had a series of sayings or "aphorisms," as they are called, which outline the instructions to be followed in Yoga. He did not outline the specific exercises so much as the philosophy; and for this reason, if you read Patanjali's Yoga System, hoping that you will get specific instructions as to how to awaken the Kundalini, you will be disappointed. If you want that kind of information, do not get Patanjali! An illuminating Exposition of these Aphorisms will, however, be found in Mabel Collins' little book, The Transparent...